Communication Training for International Volunteers: Building Understanding Across Cultures

Peter had the opportunity to co-facilitate a communication workshop with Renate for the international volunteers of GrenzKultur/CABUWAZI in Berlin. The workshop was part of the organisation’s company-wide Professional Development Day.

With participants from Brazil, Palestine, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Morocco, the workshop focused on one central question: How can we communicate with each other in a way that helps us better understand one another?

Using applied improvisation and interactive exercises, Peter and Renate introduced several practical approaches to communication, including:

• active listening

• the “Yes, and…” mindset

• non-violent communication

The exercises gave participants an opportunity to experience these approaches in practice and to reflect on how small changes in the way we listen, respond and express ourselves can influence our interactions with others.

It was a great opportunity to work with such an international group and explore how curiosity, openness and active listening can help build stronger connections across cultural differences.